-- A lathe, probably locally produced, on its way in the back of a truck. The green Crocodile sign near the traffic-lights is an advertisement, not a street name or location.
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[Snapshot of 0524_002.jpg] Lathe transport -- A lathe, probably locally produced, on its way in the back of a truck. The green Crocodile sign near the traffic-lights is an advertisement, not a street name or location.
[Snapshot of 0524_005c.jpg] Well-drilling Truck 
-- I saw several trucks like this in a small town between Coimbatore and Madurai. The barely-visible vertical line below the front license plate is a tassel intended to ward off the evil eye of accidents.
[Snapshot of 0526_062.jpg] Narrow road -- 
This road leads down from Kodaikkanal in the Palani Hills, to connect at Virupakshi with the road to Coimbatore. The road surface was good in this stretch, albeit only wide enough for one vehicle!
[Snapshot of 0526_106c.jpg] Typical rear of truck -- 
Most trucks have painted designs like these, and most say "Sound Horn", advice that most Indian drivers don't need.
[Snapshot of 0526_107.jpg] Diesel fuel tank design -- 
Most trucks had flower designs like these painted on their fuel tanks.
[Snapshot of 0526_120b.jpg] Propane tanks -- 
This truck is loaded with several hundred propane tanks, with around 10kg propane in each. I also saw bicycles transporting tanks like these, up to five per load. Red flowers are on "Flame of the Forest" trees.
[Snapshot of 0601_012.jpg] Dr. Nanjappa Road, looking south -- 
This picture was taken from a pedestrian overpass bridge near the Central Bus Stand (in distance on right, in this picture) and the Town Bus Stand (next picture).
[Snapshot of 0601_014.jpg] Dr. Nanjappa Road, looking north.
Town Bus Stand is west of the arch at right edge of picture, with Thiru Valluvar Bus Stand a little ways north.
[Snapshot of 0531_001.jpg] Bullock cart 1 -- 
I saw bullock carts all over, in a variety of trailer styles, delivering foodstuffs, boxes, and construction materials like sand, bags of cement, and re-bar (steel reinforcing rod), and sometimes hauling garbage. Many bullocks had their horns painted red, green, or blue.
(Sayandev DasGupta comments: "I saw the bullock cart pics ( 3 of them ). May I point out that Coimbatore being such an advanced town it has the most latest models of bullock carts. They have regular tyres ( though without treads, but that gives a better traction on cornering at high speeds), the coach work is top class with non-rust steel and high quality paint. The bullock engines are well fed with again top quality horns. The normal model has wooden wheels and bamboo chasis and the bullock engines don't have such lovely horns!! I will get you some photographs of the regular model when I am next out of the city. With best wishes, Sayandev")
[Snapshot of 0601_017r.jpg] Bullock cart 2 -- 
The unpainted horns on this bullock (hauling a water tank) are unusual. At middle right in the picture, the movable slabs of concrete that make up the sidewalk also cover a sewer trench. Unfortunately, in many parts of town, slabs like these are broken or missing. :(
[Snapshot of 0601_021.jpg] Bullock cart 3 -- 
Delivering food. ~~ Bullocks, unlike cows, are not regarded as sacred animals. ~~ Note motorcycle rider wearing a helmet. I think I must have seen at least one person wearing a helmet, every day.
[Snapshot of 0601_015r.jpg] Parked Motorcycles -- 
Hundreds of motorcycles were parked near the pedestrian overpass on Dr. Nanjappa Road near Nehru Street. Might be commuter parking for bus riders.
[Snapshot of 0601_025cr.jpg] "Auto rickshaw" and motorcycles -- 
Motorcycles are the most-common vehicles around town, but there are also hundreds of yellow, three-wheel auto rickshaws in the traffic too. The tassel near the front of the engine (motorcycle in foreground) is intended to ward off the evil eye of accidents.
[Snapshot of 0521_022.jpg] Motorcycles and shops
, heading east on Avanasi Road. Two persons on a motorcycle like this is common; occasionally a couple of children are on board as well.
[Snapshot of 0521_027.jpg] Motorcycles and shops
, also eastbound on Avanasi Road. Another of those rare helmets. The "XEROX 35 paise" sign advertises walk-in copying at 35 paise per A4 page, about 0.8 cents US. (100 paise/rupee, 44 R/$) Some A3 copies cost me a whole rupee :( and in the affluent Kolkata enclave of Salt Lake City, I paid 75 paise per page.
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